Tiger1962

I do think schools should be tough in grading. Rank means something to me and if I didn't live up to or know what I'm supposed to for my level / rank, I'd be extremely embarrassed. Now, it might not mean anything or as much to someone else, and that is their prerogative.

Yes, my instructor is both licensed and certified in his style and has the official documentation that was earned / awarded (or whatever the correct term is) by the official "recognized" governing organization / federation of the style he teaches and trains in.

Good one!!! I never thought of this

You know something? I've never thought of it in that particular way. Personally speaking, my belt is not longer than my mid-thigh area because I have writing and characters on both sides of my belt. I also know that when my belt looks like it's getting shorter, it's time to increase the cardio workouts - LOL So, yeah, I gauge the length on the size of my waist or weight (and vice-versa) That being said, at a tournament or in class, an observant teacher will look at your legs and knees to determine if your stance is correct or not. I doubt they would look at your belt length to determine the stance quality.

In my opinion, what qualifies someone to teach and makes them credible is the fact that they have sufficient years of experience in training (which will automatically mean that they are an ADULT) and REALLY KNOWS their material inside and out. They've gone through all the required channels to achieve their rank and could handle and control a class with no problem. Someone who remembers and knows ALL their curriculum and continues to train themselves even though they teach. They also possess the right personality to keep the class interested and motivated. My instructor has been training for many, many years and can have an entire class full of mixed belt students (or dans) with each rank doing a different form and yet can correct each level although they are on opposite sides of the room. Although my instructor is a high ranking dan, he still remembers the lower level basics and curriculum, explains things in the simplest of terms so it's easy to understand, corrects your technique when it's done wrong and demonstrates the correct way while offering tips on how to execute a move or even how to remember to execute a move. That being said, I know a "bad" teacher when I see one.

I used to be fluent in Spanish both reading, writing and conversing, but since I didn't practice it - I forgot a lot. I'm starting it up again now though.

I usually eat foods that will sustain me but not be heavy or lie in my stomach. Some examples of different light meals that I might choose from are: toasted bagel with peanut butter yogurt with fruit and granola good quality energy bar egg whites on whole wheat toast (or) 2 hard boiled eggs oatmeal with banana and of course, plenty of water and / or Gatorade.

Everyone is going to have a different opinion of this situation & this can go on and on debating both sides. I tend to believe that when it DOES bother adults, it has nothing at all to do with ego, but rather, the adults not wanting their time, money and energy wasted by the youth who is goofing off or not experienced enough. I also think that it's "a given" that there are exceptions to EVERYTHING.

I agree. Turnabout is fair play, and enough is enough. That said, I don't think that it is fair to judge all Karatekas by the actions of these two players at one tournament. It is akin to judging the personalities and actions of all MMA fighters because of the actions of a few that tend to veer into the limelight constantly. I'm not lumping them all in one category; that's why I said "in one of those rare situations..." and the few times I have seen it, really ticked me off. Most of the times, things have been fair. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen upon occasion - at least - I've seen it a few times.

It really works !

LMAO - spoken like us true New Yawkers !

welcome - welcome

I agree beast, however, in one of those rare situations when you get kicked in the head or an "off limits" area of the body, and, intentionally, either the referee doesn't call it or your opponent is a wise guy, then its hard for me to hold my anger or tongue. I may be a martial artist, but I am human being too & I don't like being taken advantage of. I play fair so I expect it in return from my fellow m.a.'s.

Yes, sometimes there ARE shortages of people to help out at these tournaments. So they have to resort to using whomever is there. Then, on some occasions, they are just not playing straight.

VERY, VERY well said NightOwl !

Yoga is great to improve one's balance but you can take a couple poses from it to improve balance - such as any of the one-legged poses. If you go online and do a search for yoga poses you will find exactly what I'm talking about.

That's true and a good point. I've noticed that when I perform my forms at a touch slower than normal at tournaments, it allows me to demonstrate the various moves more precisely and that's usually what the judges want to see, that you've executed each move, not just rush through them to finish. Example, if you are throwing a kick, throw that kick with intent and chamber it back with intent.

Unfortunately, not all schools have or go by a distinction between junior black belt and adult black belt. Some schools loop them all in the same.

As far as doing something about it, competitors can complain about it, however it is the judges and/or the organization that head's or sponsors these tournaments that have the ultimate say. And if they are letting stuff happen, it's their fault / responsibility.

I hear ya on that one. As much as I LOVE competing, and I do it for the sheer FUN of it, there are things I've seen go on that make my blood boil. Now, I don't care if I come home with a trophy or not, if I do, then it's an added bonus, but like I said, it's for the fun of competition. What DOES tick me off is when I see judges being biased or unfair. Come to think of it, I didn't start seeing any of this going on until I became a black belt. It doesn't ALWAYS happen, but it DID happen at the last two I went to and it soured my urge to attend more.

yep ...*if* I was bad in class, that's how I'd like to be punished.

For me, training for competition is pretty straightforward. I just try to improve my endurance since almost everyone is nervous during competition and your breathing rhythm goes out of wack & before you know it, you're huffing and puffing. The other which is pretty obvious is doing many repetitions of my form routine which I will be demonstrating at the competition. If I am sparring, then again, improving my endurance and adding to that would be practicing my sparring techiques to be faster and more precise.

In my opinion, when it comes to corporal punishment, if I had students that were misbehaving in class, instead of giving them push-ups or sit-ups, I'd simply make them do their worst form or technique repeatedly & off to the side of the class. This is what I consider USEFUL "punishment" in that they are improving a technique they are weak in while also being "punished" (if you really want to call it that), while the other students might be in the middle of learning something new. I think it's a more productive type of punishment. Then, if they are really unruly or uncooperative, I'd just make them go home.

There are the requirements and code of conduct tenets for the style I train and then there are my personal. I'd rather give my personal views since the school regulated ones are pretty obvious. To me, being a black belt means knowing all your basic curriculum and all requirements up until the last time you tested. Performing to the best of your ability; of course, not everyone can physically perform the same due to many reasons, but DEFINITELY giving 100% effort. Most importantly is maturity, responsibility, respect and discipline. Setting a good example to your juniors. NO ONE getting special treatment or EXPECTING special treatment in ANY of their requirements OR protocol simply because their relative or close friend owns the school. Likewise, senior ranking b.b. adhering to the rules and regulations themselves. Also, you are representing YOUR school while at tournaments and martial arts related events so black belts should behave accordingly & adhere to tournament rules and regulations - both competitors AND judges. (all judges are high ranking black belts, btw)

Material things I can always get myself or save for if I really want. Having good health and being around people I love and care about is the best ever. Sorry to sound corny but I guess I'm getting old.